Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1121. This extreme legislation would limit the President's ability to respond to public health, environmental, and climate risks. It is nothing more than a made-up solution in search of a problem. To be clear, the President has made no indication that he will ban fracking, and yet H.R. 1121 would prohibit the President from ever banning fracking for any reason ever, despite the risks that it poses. Many of my colleagues aren't even in favor of sensible oversight or regulation of fracking. It is my view that public lands managers ought to have access to a full range of tools to reduce harmful emissions, protect our environment, and safeguard public health. I am particularly concerned because we don't have adequate regulations and safeguards in place to ensure that if fracking is done, at the very least it is done in a way that reduces environmental and health risks. There is a growing body of evidence that illustrates that fracking creates vast amounts of wastewater, emits greenhouse gases such as methane, and releases toxic pollutants such as potent carcinogens into the air. Studies have also reported associations between residential proximity to fracking operations and increased adverse pregnancy outcomes, cancer incidence, hospitalizations, respiratory diseases, mental health problems, and more.…”